Made up of vermillion, it is a red powder that is applied along the parting of the hair. It symbolizes, in Hindu culture that a woman is married. Also referred to as kumkum it also symbolizes female energy. It is a ritual that every Hindu woman repeats daily after marriage and its origin can be traced centuries back.

History and origin

The origin of sindoor can be traced back as far as 5000 years back just when Hinduism started to showcase its influence on the cultural and traditional outlook of India. Its existence can also be traced back to the Harappan civilization when it was also applied along the partition of a woman’s hair.
Other than this, there is also a mythology surrounding it which suggests that it was turned into a shape by the wife of Lord Krishna, Radha, and that the shape resembled the shape of that of a flame on her forehead. Other Hindu texts or Puranas also consists of the name sindoor and its particular value and significance to a married woman.